Coin Collecting Grades

Coin collecting grades are what distinguish collectors and dealers in the numismatic market. A coin’s grade directly relates to its value as well as its aesthetic quality. While the grade of a coin may seem subjective, it is based on a series of established standards developed by professional numismatists. These standards set the foundation for the two leading third-party coin certification services: PCGS and NGC.

Before the establishment of these standard coin grading definitions, it was common for coins to be described as either used or new (mint state). While this categorization is useful, it doesn’t offer much insight into the condition of a coin or its potential value. In the early 1800s, adjectival terms were commonly used to describe a coin’s condition, but these were not universally accepted. This allowed for great discrepancies between what one dealer would call “good” and what another dealer called “good.”

When it comes to defining coin collecting grades, there are a number of important factors that must be taken into consideration. The most important is the quality of the strike. A coin that is struck with precision will display sharp and clearly defined features, which are more desirable to collectors. This is one of the primary reasons that coins with full details receive higher coin collecting grades than those with worn details.

The level of preservation and the amount of wear a coin has are also significant factors in determining its grade. A coin that has been preserved well will have a minimum of wear, and those with very little wear will have a very high coin collecting grade. In addition to these objective measures, eye appeal is another subjective factor that can impact a coin’s overall grade.